Yellow ribbon bows were made available to people attending the vigil to show their support for Khadijah Britton.
Chris Pugh-Ukiah Daily Journal

Family and friends of Khadijah Britton held a vigil in support of her at the Mendocino County Courthouse in Ukiah on Tuesday during the court appearance of suspect Negie Fallis.

The 23-year-old Native American woman from Covelo has been missing since Feb. 9. The vigil was originally scheduled for 9 a.m. to coincide with Fallis’ court appearance, but the court changed the appearance time to 4 p.m.

When he arrived in court, Fallis agreed to be represented by a court-appointed public defender. At his appearance, the court moved his arraignment time to Friday, March 2 at 1:30 p.m. due to the lack of time he and his public defender had to meet. The court will discuss issues like bail and specific charges at the new date. The public defense had no comment at this time.

Around 100 people gathered outside the courthouse and courtroom during the vigil to support the family, and many wore yellow ribbons and red clothing in support of Britton. Laura Betts, Britton’s aunt, says the family has not received any new updates, but the messages of support from the community and people around the world have meant so much to them.

“The community has been great, and I think that’s what’s upholding the family right now and giving us hope,” Betts said.

The Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office is currently charging Fallis with crimes committed during a previous domestic violence incident involving Britton on Jan. 29. The five counts are: kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, corporal injury to a spouse, burglary in the first degree and criminal threats. The DA’s Office will add charges related to his Feb. 19 arrest at a later date.

Witnesses say that on Feb. 9, Fallis showed up at Britton’s residence with a pistol and demanded that she go outside and speak with him. Britton left and got into an argument with Fallis outside. She then left in a black Mercedes sedan.

The Round Valley Tribal Police Department arrested Fallis on Feb. 19 in Covelo after receiving a tip about his location. Deputies booked him into the Mendocino County Jail on $400,000 bail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm, forcible kidnapping, first-degree burglary, inflicting corporal injury on a partner, attempted murder, threats to commit a crime resulting in death or great bodily injury, and prison prior. Mendocino County Sheriff’s detectives, with the assistance of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue Team, are conducting search operations.

An anonymous donor has put up a $50,000 reward for information leading to Britton’s location, and the family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help with gas, food and equipment during the search effort. The family also has an Amazon Wish List of search items, and a public Facebook group called Help Find Khadijah Britton.

Her family and friends ask anyone with information to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 463-4086.